Launched on 22nd October 2014 under the Farm Mechanization Umbrella Scheme by the Agriculture Department, Government of West Bengal, this scheme provides financial support to rural entrepreneurs for establishing Custom Hiring Centres (CHC). The primary objective is to enable farmers to hire high-end farm machinery at reasonable rates, thereby promoting rural employment, enhancing productivity, and mitigating risks during calamities. The scheme is uniformly applicable throughout West Bengal except in the Kolkata district.
Choice of Machinery:
• An indicative list of machinery/implements eligible for CHC is provided in Annexure-V (Page No. 38).
• Available models with indicative prices will be published on the Matirkatha portal by the SPMT before the online application process begins.
• Applicants may choose at least four types of machinery/implements and a maximum of two tractors per type from the list.
• Non-listed machinery may be considered as per the latest SMAM guidelines with SPMT approval.
Benefits
• Subsidy Pattern:
– The scheme provides a subsidy of 40% of the Total Financial Outlay (TFO), subject to a maximum of ₹16,00,000 or 40% of TFO, whichever is less.
– Total Financial Outlay (TFO) includes the indicative cost of machinery (including transportation), AMC for 3 years, cost of open shed, and insurance for 1 year.
• Financial Conditions:
– Minimum TFO is ₹20,00,000.
– The cost of the open shed is capped at 5% of TFO; total ancillary costs (excluding machinery) should not exceed 10% of TFO.
• Margin Money:
– The applicant must deposit at least 25% of TFO as margin money to a financing bank before the subsidy is released by the DDA.
– The remaining amount will be provided as a bank loan. • The subsidy is disbursed as a back-ended subsidy through DBT directly to the beneficiary’s designated bank account.
• The subsidy is applicable only for purchasing machinery/equipment from approved manufacturers and dealers as enlisted on the departmental portal. • A beneficiary (or spouse) is not eligible to reapply before 4 years from the last subsidy release under any farm mechanization scheme.
Eligibility
• For Individuals:
– Must be a rural youth entrepreneur registered under the Krishak Bandhu (New) Scheme.
• For Groups:
– Groups such as SKUS, PACS, FPO, FPC, FIG, SHG, LAMPS, etc., approved/recognized by any government institution or department.
• The project cost/TFO must be a minimum of ₹20,00,000.
• The applicant must have sufficient land (owned, leased, or hired) in the selected village; the land must be categorized as “commercial,” “bastu,” or “viti.”
• The beneficiary’s age must be a minimum of 18 years.
Exclusions
• A beneficiary or their spouse who has availed any subsidy under FSSM, OTA-SFI, FMB/FMH, or CHC within the past 4 years is not eligible.
• Employees or retired employees of State Government, statutory bodies, government undertakings, panchayats, municipal corporations/municipalities, local bodies, or government-aided educational institutions are ineligible.
Application Process
Online (via the FMS Portal)
Registration Process:
• Step 1: Visit the official FMS portal and click on “New Registration”.
• Step 2: Fill in all mandatory details in the Applicant Registration form and click “Sign Up” after verifying the details.
Application Submission:
• Step 1: Log in to the FMS portal using your Voter Card number, password, and select the appropriate season.
• Step 2: Fill in all mandatory details in the online application form.
• Step 3: After successful online submission, print the application with the acknowledgement receipt, a recent passport-size photograph, and other prescribed documents (self-attested).
• Step 4: Submit the hard copy at the office of the Deputy Director of Agriculture in the concerned district within the stipulated period.
• Step 5: A one-time edit option is available online before the hard copy is submitted.
• Step 6: Retain the unique serial number generated for all future references.
Helpline Desk: 8336957298 (Available from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm)
Note: Online applications must be submitted through the Matirkatha/FMS portal after due advertisement in leading dailies and on the departmental website.
Documents Required
• Proforma Application Form (properly filled in)
• Proof of Citizenship (EPIC)
• Krishak Bandhu ID Number (verify via the provided link on the portal)
• Copy of Aadhaar Card
• PAN Card
• Self-authenticated photocopy of the updated bank passbook (Savings/Current account) from the same branch where the subsidy will be transferred and kept under “lock-in” in the SRF Account
• Title Deed/ROR (Records of Right) / Lease Certificate/ Rent Receipt for the land
• Detailed project report (if applicable) for AIF
• Quotations
• Vetted plan & estimate for the shade (open shed) of the CHC, if applicable
• Resolution of the organization regarding the authorization of the signatory
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the objective of the scheme?
A: The scheme aims to provide a credit-linked subsidy to rural entrepreneurs for setting up Custom Hiring Centres, thereby enabling farmers to hire high-end farm machinery at reasonable rates, creating rural employment, enhancing productivity, and mitigating risks during calamities.
Q: Which department has launched this scheme?
A: It is launched under the Farm Mechanization Umbrella Scheme by the Agriculture Department, Government of West Bengal.
Q: Who is eligible to apply under this scheme?
A:
– Individual farmers registered under the Krishak Bandhu (New) Scheme.
– Groups such as SKUS, PACS, FPO, FPC, FIG, SHG, LAMPS, etc., that are approved/recognized by government institutions.
– Applicants must have a project cost/TFO of at least ₹20,00,000 and sufficient land in the selected village.
– The beneficiary must be at least 18 years old.
Q: How can beneficiaries avail of the scheme benefits?
A: By applying online via the FMS portal, submitting a hard copy with all required documents, and securing a bank loan for the non-subsidized portion of the TFO after depositing the required margin money.
Q: What is the mode of selection of beneficiaries?
A: Beneficiaries are selected according to the scheme guidelines; however, once a subsidy is granted, the beneficiary or their spouse cannot reapply for any farm mechanization scheme for 4 years.
Q: Is there any fee or charge to apply for this scheme?
A: There is no additional fee; however, beneficiaries must finance the non-subsidized portion of the TFO via a bank loan.
Q: Is there an age restriction?
A: Yes, beneficiaries must be at least 18 years old.
Q: Is there any priority for female applicants?
A: The scheme does not specify a separate priority for female applicants.
Q: Is there any income criteria for eligibility?
A: No, eligibility is primarily based on land possession, project cost, and registration under the Krishak Bandhu scheme.
Q: Are employees/retired employees of government bodies eligible?
A: No, such individuals are excluded from applying.
Q: How will the subsidy be released to the beneficiary?
A: The subsidy is released through DBT directly to the beneficiary’s bank account designated for the subsidy reserve fund/loan account.
Q: What is the pattern of assistance provided?
A: The scheme offers a subsidy of 40% of the Total Financial Outlay (with a maximum of ₹16,00,000 or 40% of TFO, whichever is less), after which the beneficiary finances the remaining amount through a bank loan. Ancillary costs are subject to specific caps.